"Run! The Mad Magician's dungeon is coming to catch us!!"

"What are you talking about... Oh my god, it's real. This crazy professor doesn't know when to stop!!"

Screams echoed through the halls as students began a race to escape their scheduled doom. Even the lowest-ranked Academy students could use mana to increase their speed, but...

The "Great Labyrinth of the Mad Magician" moved at an unimaginable pace.

Clack-clack-clack-clack!

Thud.

"...How can something building-sized move so fast?!"

"It's probably closer to a walking illusion spell than actual matter. By the way, I'm really glad I never skipped my morning jogs."

"Sorry to interrupt your self-praise, but anyone can see we're being caught up to, right? Is that compliment really appropriate for the situation?"

"If I hadn't jogged regularly, we'd be caught even faster. It's basic logic, but your negative mindset refuses to acknowledge it, Selvia."

"......!!"

Selvia had many things she wanted to say but held them back. If she wasted her breath on arguments, she'd fall behind, and then Baek-seol would lecture her about lacking emotional control.

Now wasn't the time for bickeringâshe needed to think of a way to deal with the "Great Labyrinth." With about a minute before it caught up... how could they escape?

"Oppa... follows rules. He wouldn't prepare an insurmountable obstacle without some way to overcome it. There must be a weakness or countermeasure."

"...Did you just call the Mad Magician 'Oppa'?"

"I-I misspoke! Anyway, the most likely solution is the 'Mansion of Glory.' There must be a reason he emphasized dozens of times that it's an indestructible object."

"The assumption that building is a safe zone seems reasonable. In that case, let's offer a sacrifice."

"What?!"

As Selvia prepared to boost herself, expecting Baek-seol to cast a slowing spell on her, Baek-seol instead aimed at the feet of other students who had been watching the "Crown" competition before being chased by the "Great Labyrinth."

"Ice Floor."

Sliiiiick.

"Aaaaargh-!!"

Sliiiiiide!

The student who fell due to the sudden reduction in friction was grabbed by a long arm extending from the "Great Labyrinth's" entrance and instantly sucked in.

Baek-seol calmly observed and commented:

"Consuming victims doesn't slow it down? I thought that was a fairly plausible theory."

"...No matter how competitive this is, doesn't throwing someone else to that 'Great Labyrinth' bother your conscience?"

"I need to survive first. Feathered Ascension, 'The Turtle Cannot Defeat the Rabbit.'"

Whoooosh-!

Baek-seol's field of vision captured the "Great Labyrinth" and all Academy students trailing behind her. She unleashed a merciless area-of-effect slow.

"Aaaaargh-!! I'll curse you, Baek-seol-!!"

"I'd rather kill myself to escape this place! I'm going first, aaaaargh-!"

"The slow effect on the 'Great Labyrinth' is only about 10%... As expected, it doesn't work well on massive entities. I need to buy more time."

"Are you a psycho?"

Ignoring Selvia's strange abbreviation, Baek-seol placed her index finger horizontally near her eye. It was an application of the Feathered Ascension ability she had used on Benett.

"Clock Limit: Horizon."

The crab-like dome portion of the "Great Labyrinth" slowed down while its legs maintained normal speed. Baek-seol calculated that this would cause the head to tilt backward and lose balance.

But.

Whirr- Click-click-click!

The "Great Labyrinth's" legs multiplied, supporting the dome and increasing speed. The Mad Professor's intention was clearâno matter what they tried, he wouldn't let them slow its movement any further.

Meanwhile, Selvia was scanning their surroundings. She had already given up on reaching the "Mansion of Glory." The distance between them and the "Great Labyrinth" was steadily shrinking.

But the monster's incredibly fast movement actually gave her hope.

If it were slow, the challenge would be impossible. That meant there must be a gimmick to avoid it or stop it along the way... she believed there had to be.

And then she found it.

"That thing like a phone booth!"

"A what?"

"No, I mean... a cabinet! A rectangular structure big enough for one person! I'm sure it wasn't there when we passed by earlier!"

"Ah. So you think that's a shelter... What if it's a trap?"

If it were a meaningless structure, it would be like nicely packaging herself as a gift for the "Great Labyrinth." But Selvia was certain. Going inside would save her.

And besides.

"We'll be caught anyway if we don't go in there!"

In truth, there was no time to consider alternatives.

Clunk!

Opening the cabinet revealed an empty space. Inside was a sign that read "One-time Safe Zone." Selvia's guess was correct. The "Great Labyrinth" chase was content designed to make students use these cabinets while heading toward the mansion.

Selvia turned to Baek-seol and said:

"You use this one. I'll look for another cabinetâ"

"There's enough space."

"What? No, this is clearly meant for one person... eep!"

Baek-seol hugged Selvia and crammed them both into the cabinet. Then she slammed the door shut.

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump!

The sound and vibration of the approaching "Great Labyrinth" grew louder. It was getting closer. Selvia held her breath. Actually, it was so cramped inside that breathing was difficult anyway.

Right in front. Several vicious legs passed directly in front of the cabinetâ

Thump-thump-thump-thump...

And faded into the distance.

They survived. She was right. Somehow they had managed to avoid the "Mad Magician's Great Labyrinth." Selvia let out a sigh of relief mixed with complaint.

"...It's cramped."

"But it was enough, wasn't it? You should work on your spatial awareness, Selvia. And perhaps diet if possible."

"It's not cramped because I'm fat!"

"My figure is perfect, so by process of elimination..."

Creeeeak.

Selvia opened the cabinet door and stepped outside, watching the retreating back of the "Great Labyrinth." It was heading toward the "Mansion of Glory."

She observed it carefully, worried it might make a sudden U-turn, and concluded:

"I'm not sure about its movement pattern yet, but this probably won't be the last time we see it."

"So to ensure our safety, we either need to forfeit early... or win."

"Let's cooperate temporarily. It wouldn't be fair if the 'Great Labyrinth' interrupted our fight, so I'll challenge you after we secure a 'Safe Zone'... or a definite time advantage."

"Yes, that works for me. My mana hasn't recovered yet anyway."

Team Selvia & Baek-seol, formed.

===============================================================

Princess Baek-ryeom's "Baek-ryeom Knights" team was attempting to occupy the mansion.

"Alright, I'm initiating the 'Mansion of Glory' occupation operation. While the main force attacks the front door to draw attention, the special unit will circle around to infiltrate through the back door. The special unit's role is to open the locked windows."

"We'll break through the front door before the special unit can do anything, Princess! And before the tea gets cold!"

"Yes.Special unit. Ready."

The plan was simple. Attack simultaneously from front and back; if the main force succeeds in breaking through, charge forward. If the special unit succeeds, enter through the opened windows.

Since the mansion itself was indestructible and had narrow entrances, the attacking side was at a significant disadvantage. Without the infiltration team's success, they would suffer considerable losses.

"For our Princess! Lance Charge ready-!!"

"Ready!"

Clank.

Three students lined up shoulder to shoulder, extending long cavalry lances forward. Nobles of the Academy who received orthodox education excelled in this positioning.

The team occupying the mansion interior was startled by this imposing sight and began to panic.

"Th-they're preparing to charge!"

"Raise the shields, shields! You go to the front!"

"Hey! You had the highest shield skill score. You should be blocking!"

Discord sprouted instantly.

The commoners, with different training and weapon preferences, were accustomed to fending for themselves, so their teamwork was somewhat inferior to the noble faction.

"What are they babbling about?"

Twitch. Princess Baek-ryeom's ears moved slightly at her subordinate's question.

"They're arguing about who should be the shield. Each telling the other to do it."

"Thank you for answering, Princess! Haha, those commoners... having nothing they truly want to protect, they show such an ugly display. Strike before their confusion settles! Chargeââ!!"

"Long live the Princess-!!"

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thudââ!!

Though it was just three people charging, dust swirled and the sound echoed as if ten horses were galloping. Lance Charge, which normally required horseback riding, could be used independently if the caster became faster than a horse.

Princess Baek-ryeom quietly thought as she watched the magnificent charge: Couldn't they leave out the "Princess" part from their battle cries?

CRASH-!!

"Aaaaargh!"

"The barricade is breached! Support!"

"This bastard just ran away...?!"

The front door was broken through in one go.

Princess Baek-ryeom gestured to the special unit preparing for flanking infiltration. There was no need for a diversion anymore. It seemed the opposing team had subpar teamwork and skills.

"Enter, and if possible, don't eliminate themâkeep them alive. We'll negotiate for information."

"Understood! The Princess has granted you mercy! If you lower your weapons and surrender now, we will treat you honorably according to Imperial law!"

"Conquering, no fun."

Luna's expression grew more bored, having expected a thrilling infiltration action.

Subsequently, the main force rushed in and completely occupied the "Mansion of Glory." Of the 10 people previously occupying it, two were eliminated by the Lance Charge, and eight were captured.

Luna tied up the captured students like fish on a string and dusted off her hands.

"Cleanup complete."

"Good work. You three watch the prisoners, and Luna and the adjutant will come with me to explore the second floor. Everyone else, please set up obstacles at the mansion entrance and prepare defenses."

"Yes, Princess!"

The "Baek-ryeom Knights" team moved in perfect unison like a single body.

Click-clack, click-clack. Princess Baek-ryeom ascended to the second floor with two companions, scanning the mansion interior for anything unusual.

As she had previously suspected, she still had a vague uneasiness that the Mad Professor might have prepared something more.

"...The ceiling decor is a bit tacky. The chandelier style is outdated too."

"It definitely has a nouveau riche feel, Princess!"

"Here. Found something."

Luna had discovered somethingâa small screen installed in an obscure corner of the second floor wall. The screen read: [Protection Capacity: 66]

The three people huddled together, staring at the screen and pondering its meaning.

"...What could this mean?"

"Reading it literally, Princess, it seems this mansion protects us from something. Perhaps we can't be eliminated while inside?"

"Numbers, decreasing. 65, 64..."

"It's not decreasing with time. The tempo is irregular, and now the number has stopped. There seems to be some... condition, but we lack clues right now."

While they discussed, the number gradually decreased, finally stopping at [Protection Capacity: 61].

What could this mysterious number mean?

They soon found out. A student from their team ran up to the second floor, pale-faced and trembling, to deliver the news.

"Out... outside! At the window! At the window!"

"C-calm down. What could possibly beâ"

"The 'Mad Magician's Great Labyrinth' is charging toward the mansion-!!"

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump!

Princess Baek-ryeom and Luna looked at each other simultaneously. This was it. This was the Mad Professor's sinister plan!

"Then 'Protection Capacity' must mean protection from the Great Labyrinth!"

"61 people, safe. Including prisoners, we're only 18."

"That's right. No need to worry. We have plenty of capacity, so we'll be fine. Let's calm down and go downstairs."

Princess Baek-ryeom led her group downstairs. Half the students were in panic, murmuring anxiously. According to Luna, the "Great Labyrinth" was a dungeon made from the worst parts of all the classes they'd experienced.

The bound prisoners began rolling on the floor, bowing their heads.

"Please eliminate us, Princess!"

"Forgive us for coveting the mansion!"

"...Calm down. After checking upstairs, we believe this mansion is a safe zone. The protection capacity is 61 people, so all of us can survive!"

"The Goddess protects us!"

And soon.

Thump. Thump. Thump-thump-thump!

The "Great Labyrinth" approached the mansion. It tilted its head this way and that, seemingly peering through the windows into the mansion's interior.

Princess Baek-ryeom and the students maintained silence, sweating with tension.

It's okay. The Mad Magician doesn't lie. If he created a gimmick, he'll honor it, so everyone inside the mansion will surely survive...!

Then.

Sluuuurp-! SPLAT!

A long arm extended like a tongue from the moving "Great Labyrinth's" entrance, grabbing the "Baek-ryeom Knights" member closest to the entrance.

"Aaaaargh-! Why?! WHY?!"

"Kyaaaaaaah!!"

"How, how is this happening?!"

It clearly said 61 people would be protected...!!

While Princess Baek-ryeom was in shock, Luna calmly kicked the bound prisoners toward the mansion entrance. She believed this "hunt" would eventually end, though she didn't know when.

"Uwaaaaaaah!!"

"Anything but the dungeon-!!"

The "Great Labyrinth" swallowed five more prisoners before finally stopping its feast.

Woooooooââ

It made a strange howling sound, then turned around with heavy steps. Back to its original location...

The mansion interior was in chaos after this sudden catastrophe. The students were speechless at the disaster that had unfolded in an instant. They had lost one team member. Princess Baek-ryeom's mind raced with thoughts.

"Why wasn't the mansion's safety capacity honored... A scam? Would the Mad Professor resort to fraud or deception?"

"...No."

"If not how can you explain this situation?"

Luna stared at the mansion's ornate tile pattern, then suddenly looked up. If the Mad Magician hadn't suddenly gone insane, if all these gimmicks were functioning normally, and if the interpretation wasn't unnecessarily convoluted...

There was only one answer.

"One from our team, five prisoners, six people total. Taken. Exceeding the protection capacity."

"But the protection capacity was 61 people! Why... unless?"

They had thoroughly searched the first and second floors but hadn't seen anyone else. So they thought there were no more people in the mansion besides their team members and prisoners. But.

"Yes. My guess, still in mansion. Many of them."

...If they were hiding inside the mansion using some "special method." Then.

Subtracting the victims from the protection capacity, the reverse calculation would meanâ

"49 students are hiding in this mansion?!"

===============================================================

"...Hey, what should we do, Gordius? Should we go out?"

"We keep hiding. Until Envers or someone else arrives with the 'Crown,' we maintain our concealment. Don't make a sound."

Luna's guess was correct.